By Steve Babcock

The Student Government Association members voiced their opinions Thursday about the organization’s ability to reach out to Northeastern students and address their concerns.

SGA President Richard Schwabacher called them out on “tough questions” about national issues and internal SGA issues that have not been taken up by the Senate this year.

The meeting boiled down to an internal review of SGA’s ability to reach out to the university and make its presence felt on campus. Schwabacher, who later admitted to “picking a fight” Thursday, began his statement by addressing national issues, specifically the Patriot Act, which allows authorities to access previously withheld records, that he said were not being discussed enough by SGA and the university.

“I could be expelled from school because I was looking up how easy it is to find ways to make a bomb on the Internet,” Schwabacher said.

Following Schwabacher’s statement, Senator Jason Kravitz immediately challenged the notion that it was SGA’s fault for not publicizing the issues when they don’t have enough credibility to reach students on campus.

Schwabacher admitted that his term limit of one year is the only constraint that has kept him from tackling such issues.

“I’ve tried my best to prioritize what to harp on. The fact is I have to pick and choose because I have a year,” he said. “Sometimes you have to let the big issues go to secure the little ones.”

Andres Vargas, the Vice President for Financial Affairs, immediately criticized Kravitz for doubting his and other officers’ work.

“The notion that this administration has not done enough work is unacceptable,” he said directly to Kravitz from the podium. “This e-board goes above and beyond what is required of us in the Senate.”

Senator Michael Amato, who represents the Progressive Student Alliance, looked to the future of SGA, saying that the Senate would have to choose between focusing on internal or external issues.

“We have to be cognizant to the fact that the university is part of the larger world,” he said.

The Senators recognized that some accomplishments were made this year, including the rise of the Student Activities Fee.

“How do we know when we do enough? The answer is simpler than we think,” Sharif Zeid said. You owe your homage to the student body. This about fulfilling your constitutional responsibility to serve your constituents.”